Are retention sutures classified as a primary suture line?

Retention sutures are not classified as a primary suture line because they serve a different purpose in surgical practice. While primary sutures are used to close the layers of tissue directly involved in the repair, retention sutures are primarily employed to reinforce the primary closure and provide additional support to the wound. They are typically placed around the edge of a wound or incision, extending beyond the primary suture line, and they help to distribute tension and prevent dehiscence, especially in high-tension areas.

In summary, retention sutures are used to augment the primary closure rather than being a direct component of it. Their role is to stabilize the surgical site but they are considered secondary to the primary closure, which is the focus of healing and the main line of closure for the tissues involved.